What would rip out the throat of a duck?

[Jasonmstewart]

Yesterday morning, I found our duck, Maverick, dead with her throat ripped out. I checked for any paw prints around her and found nothing. Whatever killed her, didn’t try to eat her. She was completely intact except her throat. I’m pretty new to ducks and live in the middle of the city. We have 2 other ducks that are acting terrified now. I have a picture of how I found her, but I’m not sure if it’s ok to post it. All I have thought about since I found her is what could have done it. Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

 

[centrarchid]

Post the picture.

 

[Jasonmstewart]

This is how she was found. From her breast almost to her beak, ripped open.

 

[centrarchid]

It is a mammal. See how the blood is smeared on feathers around wound site. Do you have a water way or small stream close by? Being in the city does not mean much when it comes to predators being present.

 

[KrystinaMayKennedy]

My guess would be a raccoon- they kill like that for sport, we have found ducks/chickens at our farm like this before.

 

[hayley3]

Yesterday morning, I found our duck, Maverick, dead with her throat ripped out. I checked for any paw prints around her and found nothing. Whatever killed her, didn’t try to eat her. She was completely intact except her throat. I’m pretty new to ducks and live in the middle of the city. We have 2 other ducks that are acting terrified now. I have a picture of how I found her, but I’m not sure if it’s ok to post it. All I have thought about since I found her is what could have done it. Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

Was she in her coop, on a pond, in a run? So this happened overnight?

 

[Jasonmstewart]

She free ranges in our backyard. There is no body of water or creek near me.

 

[hayley3]

You may never know what did it. I would've said owl but as Centra pointed out there are smear marks which indicates a mouth was in close contact.
But as you can see they need to be protected during the night.

 

[Jasonmstewart]

I’m glad you mentioned owl. We’ve recently heard two owls close by. That was my first thought. But this occurred between 930 am and 1020am. I don’t know. I’m driving myself crazy trying to figure it out.

 

[analyticalblonde]

I'm thinking possibly a fox...they attack in the early morning or evening hours or raccoon but typically attack, usually at night; owls, and other raptors, usually leave little evidence behind.